From December 2017 the UK Driving Test will include the option of a new manoeuvre called
‘Pull up on the right and reverse’.
Whilst it is still recommended that we pull up on the left whenever possible, we may occasionally
need to pull up on the other side of the road, so it is good to practice this manoeuvre so
we are able to do so safely.
First, we’ll get an overview of the manoeuvre from outside the car, before going inside
to see a more detailed view from the driver’s position.
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our best to reply.
If the driving examiner on your test wants you to carry out this manoeuvre they will
say “Pull up on the right when it is safe to do so, please.”
We should choose a safe place to stop, and stop the car fairly close to the kerb.
Then the examiner will say “I’d now like you to reverse back for about 2 car lengths,
keeping reasonably close to the kerb.”
Once this has been completed the examiner will then ask you to “Drive on when you’re
ready”.
Once we have chosen a good place to stop, we should use the MSM routine to do it safely.
We check our mirrors, signal if necessary and then steer to the right well before we
need to stop.
Allow the car to fully straighten, and position the car fairly close to the kerb.
Once stopped, we select reverse gear, check it is safe all around the car, and then start
reversing very slowly.
We can use our door mirror to check our position to the kerb, but we should also look all around
the car (including the rear window) occasionally in case other traffic approaches us.
Any steering corrections should be gentle, as we don’t want to bump the kerb with our
wheels.
Once we have reversed for 2 car lengths we stop, and prepare the car in first gear ready
to pull away.
We must ensure we pull away safely, without affecting any other traffic, so this time
we wait for the oncoming car before driving on, returning to our side of the road.
Let’s take a look at some of the more common problems we might have with this manoeuvre.
We must be careful not to stop in an unsuitable place, so we must watch out for junctions,
bus stops or anything else we shouldn’t stop next to.
If there is oncoming traffic when stopping, we should wait as we normally would when turning
right into a side road.
We don’t want to stop at an angle from the kerb, so we try to pull over to the right
about 5 cars lengths before we need to stop to allow plenty of time for the car to straighten
out.
If our view is blocked by a car in front of us, the exercise will continue, but we must
be careful.
The examiner may step in and control the situation if they feel it’s needed.
If we spot traffic approaching us we should stop the car, as we don’t want to cause
any danger.
While we are waiting we should look around carefully and make sure the road is clear
before continuing to reverse.
We wouldn’t want to reverse into the road or kerb as it would show poor car control.
There is no rush, so reverse very slowly to give enough time to adjust our position with
gentle steering.
If another vehicle pulls up behind our car and stops us from reversing back, the manoeuvre
won’t be completed.
The examiner will ask us to drive on, and another manoeuvre will be carried out later
in the test.
Once we have finished reversing, we must wait until it is safe to drive on, so we might
need to be patient on busy roads.
So, remember to: Use the MSM routine to stop safely
Allow enough space to fully straighten the car
Reverse very slowly and steer gently Only pull away when its safe
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